Method of filling liquid crystal display panel with liquid crystal and liquid crystal filling system performing the same

Abstract

In a method of filling a liquid crystal display panel with liquid crystal and a liquid crystal filling system using the method, a seal line and spacers are formed on a color filter substrate. A first volume defined by the seal line and a second volumes defined by the spacers are obtained. An amount of liquid crystal to be supplied into a region enclosed by the seal line is precisely calculated based on the first and second volumes. Shortage of the liquid crystal supplied into the LCD panel and overflow of the liquid crystal can be avoided. Accordingly, the steps for supplying the liquid crystal into the LCD panel may be reduced, and simultaneously peripheral regions of the LCD panel be prevented from being contaminated by the liquid crystal while the liquid crystal is filled into the LCD panel.

1. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, the LCD panel comprising a first substrate, a sealing wall formed on a peripheral portion of the first substrate, a plurality of spacers formed on the substrate and surrounded by the sealing wall, and a second substrate, the method comprising steps of:
 obtaining a first volume of a space on the first substrate surrounded by the sealing wall; 
 obtaining a second volume occupied by the spacers by processing an image of the spacers; 
 obtaining a third volume by subtracting the second volume from the first volume; 
 calculating a first amount of liquid crystal corresponding to the third volume; 
 applying a second amount of the liquid crystal to the space, the second amount of the liquid crystal being equal to or substantially the same with the first amount; and 
 placing a second substrate over the first substrate. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining the first volume comprises steps of:
 obtaining an area of the portion of the first substrate surrounded by the sealing wall; 
 measuring a height of the sealing wall; and 
 multiplying the area by the height. 
 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the height of the sealing wall is measured from at least one location. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining the second volume comprises steps of:
 measuring a unit volume of the spacers; 
 measuring a number of the spacers; and 
 multiplying the number of the spacers by the unit volume of the spacers, wherein the spacers have a spherical shape and are randomly scattered. 
 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of measuring the number of the spacers comprises steps of:
 obtaining an image of spacers; 
 processing the image to obtain locations of the spacers; and 
 counting a number of the locations. 
 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining the second volume comprises steps of:
 obtaining an area occupied by the spacers; 
 measuring a height of the spacer; and 
 multiplying the area occupied by the spacers by the height, wherein the spacers have a column shape and are located at predetermined locations. 
 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of obtaining the area comprises steps of:
 obtaining an image of spacers; and 
 processing the image to calculate the area. 
 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of calculating the amount of the liquid crystal is calculated by multiplying the third volume by a specific gravity of the liquid crystal. 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second amount is about 95% to about 105% of the first amount. 
   
   
     10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second amount is about 95% to about 100% of the first amount.